Folding crate.



H. T. lANES.

FOLDING CRATE.

APPLicATloN FILED DEc.2o.1915.

ren.

ROBERT T. JANES, OF COBIANCHE, TEXAS.

FOLDING CRATE.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented May 29, 1917.

Application filed December 20, 1915. Serial No. 67,726.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT T. JANns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Comanche, in the county of Comanche and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Folding Crates, of which the following is a specification.

rllhis invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding crates.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a crate which may be sealed both when erected and when folded; whereby it is necessary to break the seal either to gain access to the erected crate or the folded crate.

Another feature resides in a common fastening member constructed to fasten the parts in erected position and also acting to hold the parts together when the crate is folded.

A still further object resides in the construction whereby a single element is employed to fasten and seal the crate and at the same time fasten and seal the door of the same.

Another object is to provide a crate having folding and knock-down parts of a particular construction together with novel means for fastening the sides of the crate and facilitating the erection.

A further object of the invention is to provide a. crate of the character described that will be strong, durable, etlicient, and simple, and comparatively inexpensive to construct; also one in which the several;y parts will not be likely to get out of working order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has relation to certain novel features of construction and operation, an example of which is described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the crate erected, portions of the sides being in section to show the pins,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing the crate folded,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at the center,

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a detail of the links and component parts,

Fig. G is another detail of the same at right angles thereto, andk Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a corner of the crate equipped with a bracing member.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates the bottom. of the crate to the ends of which end members 2 are suitably hinged to swing inward and down onto the bottom. Along each side of the bottom is secured a hinge strip 3 having a height approximately equal to the thickness of each end member. On each strip a side member 4 is hinged to swing inward and down onto theend members after the latter have been swung down, the strips supporting the side members at the proper height. A rectangular top member 5 rests on the end members and between the tops of the side members with which it is flush when erected.

The members 2, 4 and 5 may have panels of wire fabric 6 or any other material depending on the commodity to be placed or packed in the crate. Of course where poultry is shipped the wire fabric is preferable. Vertical pins 7 depend from the top member into the end members, while lateral pins 8 project from the top member into the side members. These pins serve to hold the parts together.

It is obvious that the pins will not prevent the side members 4 from swinging outward and therefore a link 9 is provided for each member. Each link has an eye at its outer end hinged on a staple 10 secured in one of the members 4. A loop 11 is formed at the inner end of each link and is made smaller at its upper end as shown in Fig. 5. A lid or door 15 is hinged in the top member and swings down onto a cross bar 14. At the center of the crate a screw or similar element 12 projects from the bar 14 and the loops of the links are engaged on this screw which holds them in position, the smaller upper portions fitting snugly behind the head of the screw.

A U-shaped keeper 16 depends from the door 15 and receives a fastening or sealing rod 17 which also passes through the loops 11. This rod has a head 1S at one end and passes through clips 19 depending from the ends of the top member and overhanging the end members through which the rod also passes. It is apparent that with the rod removed the door may be opened and the crate is held erected by the loops and the screw 12. lVhen it is desired to seal the crate the rod is inserted and passed through the various parts, the enlarged lower portions of the loops permitting easy threading. At one end of the rod a slot 20 is provided as shown in F ig. 1 and an ordinary wire and seal 21 are fastened in the slot in the usual manner. It is impossible to open the door or gain access to the crate without withdrawing the rod 17 and this cannot be done without breaking the seal 21.

A certain number of fowls or quantity of merchandise placed in the crate and the latter sealed must arrive at the destination if the seal is not broken, and if the seal is broken the shipper has a positive check against the transporting agents and can hold the latter responsible.

When it is desired to fold the crate the rod 17 is removed and the top member 5 taken off. The end members 2 are folded down onto the bottom and the side members et are swung down onto the ends. This leaves a longitudinal space between the side members and also a transverse space between the end members which receives the links 9. At each end of the bottom central upstanding clips 22 are provided and have their upper ends bent outward. The top member is placed on the folded parts so that the clips 19 enter between the clips 22 and the folded parts as shown in Fig. 2. The clips are apertured so as to register and the keeper 16 depends into the space between the side members. The rod is inserted in the clips 19 and 22 at one end and pushed through the space between the side members, also being threaded through the keeper. The free end of the rod is passed through the clips 19 and 22 at the opposite end of the crate. The wire and seal 21 are secured in the slot of the rod so that the crate is sealed in its folded position and must so arrive at its destination.

The crate is readily erected by breaking the seal, withdrawing the rod, Vremoving the top member and swinging up the sides and ends and placing the top thereon. It is apparent that the sealing feature of this crate is the essence of the invention and that it might be carried out in ways other than shown in the drawings.

The invention is presented as including all such modifications as properly come within the scope of the appended claims.

In Fig. 7 a modication of the crate is shown with the side member provided with an angular bracing member 23 which is adapted to embrace the end of the top member and the upper portion of the adjacent end member. r1`his construction braces the end members against outward displacement and may be placed at the four upper corners of the crate.

What I claim, is:

1. In a fastening for folding crates, the combination with folding ends and sides mounted on a bottom and a top correlated with the ends and sides, of an elongated fastening rod extending from one end to the opposite end of the crate, means for fastening the top to the rod carried by the top and engaged by the ends of the rod, and fastening members pivoted to the sides and engaging the rod from opposite sides, whereby a single fastening rod fastens all four sides and the top together.

2. In a folding crate, a bottom having fastening clips at its opposite ends, ends hinged to fold down onto the bottom, sides hinged to fold down onto the ends, a removable top correlated with the ends and sides and provided with fastening clips at each end, a single fastening rod passing through the ends and the clips of the top when the crate is set up and passing through the clips of both the top and bottom when the crate is folded, and links pivoted to the side members and engaging the rod when the crate is set up.

In testimony whereof I afiX my signature.

ROBERT T. JANES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, VI). C. 

